Obstruction responsive root cutting plow



Oct 0. w. JENNINGS OBSTRUCTION RESPONSIVE ROOT CUTTING PLOW 3 Sheets-Sheet Filed May 5, 1949 g Q INVENTOR. Char] E5 W. Jennings flm ATTORNEYS.

c. w. JENNINGS OBSTRUCTION RESPONSIVE ROOT CUTTING PLOW Oct. 21, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 5, 1949 INVENTOR. Charles W Jennin I35 a n I ATTORNEYS.

Oct. 21, 1952 Q w, JENNlNGS 2,614,476

OBSTRUCTION RESPONSIVE ROOT CUTTING PLOW Filed May 5, 1949 s Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG.10.

FIG.8.

INVENTOR.

Charles W Jennings ATTORNEYS.

Patented Oct. 21, 1952 NSI'VE ROOT CUTTING ow i Charles Wendell Jennings, Balliinger, Ten. I Application May 5, 1949, Serial No. 91,503] v 'OBS'TRUCTION REsP o r, 9 Claims. (01. 97 2.26.l)

" This inventionrelates to plows and more particularly to so-called rootcutting 'plowsr An important object of the invention is to provide a plow ofthis kind which will sever roots and stumps, such as'the underground portions thereof, in an eflicient manner so'that the debris will not accumulate on the plow nor immediately in front of it, and the plow will not be forced,

during the cutting or severing operations, out of the ground. l

It has been discovered that one of the defects of many root-cutting plows is that there'is provided no mechanism-actuating means sufficiently powerful to actually out into and finally sever the roots and stumps. l Animportant object of this invention is to provide a'plow including a cam-actuatedroot-cu'tting mechanism which'will positively and cleanly cut into and sever roots and stumps.

Still another important object is toiprovide a plow with mechanism as described and powerful enough to break up most stones and rock encountered inthe path of travel of the plow.

:In. order to reduce wear and tear, a cutting mechanism or means is provided'associated with means which is constructedand arrangedto set the mechanism in operationonly whenan obstruction, as a root, stump, stone, rock, hard clod :or the like is encountered. That is the mecha- -nism willnot operate during ordinary plowing operations but, when such obstructions are entheekception of asmall portion which-is'in'horizontal section in'orde'r to show certain interior structure.

Figure 2 is a view, mostly inside elevation of i the same, with several minor parts broken away in order to illustrate'mechanismtherebeneathi substantially on thesline a-a of Figure-21;; Figure 4 is a vertical transverse section-sub.- stantially on the li'ne4-'-4.of Figure Figure 5 is a vertical longitudinal section substantially on the line 5+5ofgFigu're 1.? 1 1 Figure 6 is a; verticallongitudinal section of the forward portion :ofthe .cutting mechanism.

substantially on the line ti- 8. of FigurewL' Figure '7 -is.a-' fragmentary view, mostly in elevation and partly in section, of this forward porcountered, the cutting mechanism will be thrown automatically into instant operation and will continue 'in operation until the obstruction is severed-or broken up, whereupon operation of themechanism will be stopped.

' A- further important object is to provide a particularly qu'ick-acting and sturdy feeler structure which will set the cutting mechanism actuat- --ing means into operation and whichfeeler structure also forms a part of the actual cutting .mechanism, thus reducing the number of parts of the-new cutting'mechannism. i

It has been discovered that this new plow will I not side slip when an obstruction is encountered and is so constructed that, after the roots and stumps are severed and the stone and rock broken up,'the debris will be brought to the surface of the ground'and carried to one side of the plow.

Other objects and advantages of the inven- "tion will be apparent during the course of the following detailed description of the invention,

taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this disclosure,and in which drawings: v

tion, substantially on' sthe line 1 .ofvit igureil.

Figure 8 is. a. fragmentary vertical sectiom; substantially on'the lined-=8 of Figure 2. p 1 Figures 9 to.13 inclusive arev'ertical longitudinal sections, somewhat along thelinesof Figure 6, but on reduced scales, illustrating steps in the severing of an obstruction. 1 4

In the drawings wherein'for-fthe purpose of illustration. is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the severahviews, the. letter A designates a wheeled vehicle and B, aiplowstructure which comprises a frameor supportCL'a plow ll the new cutting mechanism E which also provides a feeler meansand-a'cutting mechanism -actuating means F." The letter'G'designates"airob struction in the path of travel of the vehicle A andplow structure B, and disposed partly beneaththe surface of the'ground'I-L The wheeled vehicleA isshown,"by way of example, as a conventional tractor; and may be provided-with a power take oif; designated 'generally as l5, inc1uding a belt.l6,:a'nd'with a .pair of rigid, horizontally-disposedspindles I1 extending transversely of the bodyof'the vehicle Afrom opposite sides thereof; and forming partsofhitch means tobe described.

The plowstructure B'includesa frame or support C which is preferablymade up'of upper and lower side frame members 20 and 21 respec' tively, connected by vertically-disposedfacing side panels 22 and 23 and horizontal cross-braces 33. To suitable portions, as the lower side frame members! I and side panels 23, may; be secured,

as by welding,upwar dly and rearwardly-extendmg tractor hitch portion's" 25 associated" with Figure 3 isa horizontal longitudinalysection,

" It is preferred to" attach'sthefplow.

'2! is a substantially L-shaped ground wheel support 28 with the longitudinal portions there of secured, as bywelding to the frame mem The vertical portions 29 telescopically bers 2|.

carry vertically-disposed tubular members 30 with a suitable spindle extending laterally, from Means each and mounting a ground wheel 3|.

32 to 'adjustably retain the tubular members upon these vertical portions 29 of the supports '28: may. be set screws-married by the..tubu1ar members 530 and bearing against the ;vertical =por.- time -29.15 Cross braces '33; connect the frame members, and cross braces 34 and 34, connect the hitchiportions 2 5 and. 2 6 respectively;

This plow structure'B 'also includes a-plow D. which-is adapte d.-specifically for association with the;:mechanism or. means E. This plow comprises an .upwardly extending body portion 35exter'i'ding'across:theframe C at theforward end thereof. This .bodyportion35 is inclined transversely upwardly. and rearwardly and inclined longitudinally-:withreferenceitoj the line of draft-,- or'long'itudinalaXis of the frame C.

It willb'enotediin :Figure..2.= that, at themost rearwardly inclined end section'ofthezplow, there is -provided 'a' substantially' horizontal, forwardlyextending-,- minor: offset: :portion. 36 and at; the most forwardly and intermediate. end sections :of

the plow, thereis;a substantimly horizontal, 'fjor wardly-extending major ofiset portion 31.. The forward'edge'flfl of. the portion3'l is. normal to the longitudinal. .axis of the plow structure B (that is normal to'itheline of draft) while the forward edge 39.of:.the portion 36: is'iinclined to this axis: .At the outermostside of the body portion35 andmajor offsetportion 37 is an upstandingsen'dxwall':portion 40 which preferably extendsirupwardlyto. theplaneof' the upper edge of ithezbody'portionjfi and parallels'the line-of draft. "It; additionally functions as a brace for theplow'portionsz35'and 31..

D to the frame:C;byrweldinggandbrace it.by disposing a vertically-extending bracei4l (as a rigid tubular member), at the juncture ofthebody portion 35 -withjone" eachofan-adjacent upper and lower side frame memberxlfl 'andtl to which. it is preferred to weld.it2 and alsoweld the ,wall'por- ..tion:40 to-these side frame members as well as weld theiother-(oppositey side frame members 29 andi2tlfto. thezadjacent'part of the. body portion 35." Since .the plow body portion 35 will encounter considerable, unearthed debris (severed roots,

stumps, etc.) it i is: constructed; higher than the average plow body portion: This debris will, of course, travel alongthe plow body'portion 35 toward. the right ofthe'line-of draft. It will be noted .inFig. l 'thatthere is a depending. section 42-to thewalLportionMl. I I

e The cuttinggmechanismor means E,which also provides the vfeeler means, comprises a plurality of preferably .closelyispaced' apart, horizontallydisposed elongated, reciprocating members 45,

.shown particularly in vertical section in Figure 6 and in top plan in Fig. 2. There is a forward combined blade and feeler portion 46 and a longitudinally-slotted intermediate portion 41 extending rearwardly therefrom and, rearwardly of the juncture of, the portion 46 and its associated portion 47, the latter is narrowed transversely, so that, when the reciprocating members are assembled, spaces 48 separate these narrowed portions, one from; another; and spaces. 49 are provided outwardlyof the two outermostnarrowed portions, all for a purpose later detailed. It is preferred to form the portions 46 of high carbon steel and these portions may be welded to their associated portion 41. The slots 50 of the portions 41 open into the sides of these latter portions, fora purpose subsequently detailed. Rearwardly of eachintermediate portion 41 is a rear end portion 5| provided with a vertically opening slot 52 with rounded end walls, for a purpose to be described; The walls of the slot 52 are preferably strengthened against: wear, suclras: by a tool ,steel inserti surrounding the'walls. of: each sl0t52.

= g Slidably supporting theplurality of-reciprocating members is a' guide bracket 53 which:ex1- tends transversely 'of the plow "structure: B, through'theslots' may be a rigid.stee1..plate, and secured at oneend, as by welding, to the depending section 42, while it'may be: secured, at its other end to; a reciprocating-.--members side-thrust bearing member 54; tOrbEl next: de-

scribed; i i

Means which dually functiorr to prevent lateralmovement of the reciprocating members 45 and also provides support for; one. end; of the bracket. 53: is shown; in Figz'Zl and. comprises a side thrust.- bearing" member 54: and. means. to securev it to a lower sidefram'e: member; 2lg as by welding; This member" 5'4rincludes a; main body part: 55, an offset portion: 56:"h'aving a facet"! paralleling and closely adjacent. the outermost edge of the; forwardiportion 4B closest thereto. and second ofl'set portion. 58- which provides 1 a face for; welding: to theflower edge of the. lower. side :frame member. 21. last referred". to, and a face. 59; paralleling and closely. adjacent the outermost edge of the: intermediate portion '41 closest. thereto. Thus? there. are two spaced.-

vent the arms 66' from becoming detached from the-portions 54: yet; the arms may rock within the slots and, asthey abut-eitherof the. rounded end walls of theslots. 52:the. will cause'reciprocation, in oneor the-other directions, of .the members 45;. e

I Each-rocker.- assembly also preferably includes-a plurality of. second elongated. arms 68. eachpreferably forming a right angle with its associated arm-66, and extending from. each arm 85. to each. arm BS: is; a brace member or third The arms 66 and 6d joinla; hub portion 10 so that each'asscciated arm- 66, dll and 69. may be mounted, in spaced apart relationshipon a rocker 1 as feelers) contact an obstruction.

. shaft H with suitable conventional spacers between hub portions and there may be provided I3 and the other ends of the links 13 are piv otally connected'with an elongated pivot member, as a tubular rod 14, carried by the panels 23. Each link 13 is provided with a plurality of axially aligning perforations 15 to receive suit able pivot pins 16 extending outwardly from an enlargement 11 (shown in Figure 4) slidab-le along the lower end portion of an upwardly extending rod 18 with the upper end portion of each rod 18 pivoted to the brace or arm 69 adjacent its connection with the arm 68. Below theenlargements 11 there is a stop 19 upon each rod 18 which stops may be nuts to cooperate with screw threads upon the lower end portions of the rods 18, whereby the positions of the stops may be varied.

' The rows of perforations 15 are disposed adjacent the connections of the links 12 and I3 and provide for varying the distance between the arms 69 and link 13 as is apparent from Figure I, since the pivotal connections of links 12 and 1351s removable (that is, may be pins, screwthreaded at their end portions and provided with suitable nuts) whereby pairs of links 13 may be separated in order to position the pivot pins 1 in any of the aligning perforations I5.

The enlargements form abutments for one end each of expansion spiral springs-80 with the other ends adjustably held by adjustment nuts 8| carriedby the screw-threaded, upper portions of the, rods 18.

The construction disclosed permits the links 12 and 13 and the rods 18 to very quickly take the-various positions shown in Figures 1 and9 to, 13 inclusive. Whenthe parts are in thepositions .shown in Figures 10, 11 and 12, the upper face or edge of thearms 68 engage the face 82. of

elongated roller. 83 eccentrically carried by ;a shaft 84 whereby the roller functions as a cam and the face 82 as a cam face tourge the arms 68 downwardly and consequently, the arms. 66 start to swingto the left as viewed in Figures 1' and 9 to 13 inclusive. As the arms 68are urged downwardly the springs 86 are contracted considerably (they become partly contracted as the links took the positions shown in Figures 10, 11

and 12) and when the arms 68 have urged the rods'.18 -do'wnwardly to the limit of the rod 18 shown inFig. 12, the springs 86 will cause the links 12 and 13 to spring to their positions as in Fig; 13, urging the blades 46 of thereciprocating members forward with cutting force, and the upper faces or edges of the arms 63 will simultaneously move out of the paths of the roller 83 to take the positions shown in Figures 1, 9 and 13, and remain out of these'roller paths until the blades 46 (which are now functioning an obstruction may be met immediately after the parts take their positions as in Figure 9. This may be an obstruction represented by a partly severed root or stump or may be a wholly unsevered-root or stump. Since the plow is moving forward during severing operations, it is obvious that if an obstruction is not severed nor broken up completely atone stroke, the for ward movement-of the plowvwill causethe blades 46 to function .as feelers and, at the'completion of their forward strokes, they will be forced backwardly by the obstruction and the forward movement of the plow which will then cause the rocker assembly 65 to rock. swinging the arms 66 rearwardly and the arms 61 upwardly, carrying the links with them until the arms 68 contact the face 82 of the roller 83, whereupon continued rotation of the roller will cause another forward cutting operation of the cutting mechanism E.

-The shaft 84 of the roller 83 is flxedto a pulley 85around which the belt I6 extendsa'nd the shaft 84 also carries a flywheel 86 in order to counteract variable torque.

Figures 1 and 9 show the positions of the sev-.' eral parts of the new plow structure while'the plow D is travelling partly beneath the ground H. In Figure 9 the cutting mechanism E isnot in operation but the roller 83 is rotating. 'In Fig. 10 the portion 46, functioning as a'feeler, has encountered an obstruction G. The forward movement of the plow structure thereupon causes the cutting mechanism E to move to the right rocking the rocker assembly 65 to the right until the parts take the positions shown'in Fig. 11 but, immediately, the cam face 82 of the rotating roller. 83 causes the parts to move the positions shown in Figure 12 (or even to positions where the obstruction G is completely out through). If it is not completely severed by the portions 46 which secondly function as cutting blades, thenthe portions 46 again become feelers,

' come into operation again and cause reposi= tioning of the parts as in Figure 11 but, immediately the cam face 82 again causes the parts to resume their positions as in Figures 9 or: 13 and the erstwhile feeler portions 46 again function as blades to complete severance of the obstruction G.

When severed, the debris of the obstruction G travels longitudinally along the plow offset Obviously,

portions 3'! and-36 to the surface of'the ground I-I. The-wall portion 40 of course prevents such debris from moving in the opposite direction.

Not, only does this wall portion 40 thus provide a barrierbut it also functions as a brace for the rest of the plow D. A I,

Various changes may be made to the form of the invention herein shown and described without departing from the spirit of the invention or scope of the claims. 7

What is claimed is: 1

1. In an obstruction cutting plow,"a'frame, =a plow carried by the frame, automatically reciprocable obstruction-feeler and obstruction-cutting means carried by the frame, and having obstruction-encountering parts extending outwardly of the plow, each of said parts comprising a reciprocating combined blade and feeler portion, and means to cause cutting operations by said .combined blade and feeler portion only when zthe latter encounters an obstruction, .including'fa rocker assembly operatively connected with-said outwardly of theplow, each of said parts com prising a combined blade and feeler portion and a rear end portion, and means to cause. cutting operations by said combined blade and feeler portion only when the latter encounterstarii ob struction, including, a cam and a rocker, assembly; with saidrocker. assembly'having onearm movably, connected with said rear" end portion andasecond'arm disposed, when saidccmbined blade andfeeler portion is in oneposition, in the path, of. travel ofzsaid cam and disposed, when said; combined: blade and feeler portionzis in, anotherposition, out of the path of travel' of said am. V

-3; In an obstructioncutting'plow, aframe, a plow carried by the frame, automatically reciproe cable obstruction-feeler and obstruction-cutting means carried by the frame, and having parts extendingcoutwardly' of the plow, each of, said parts comprising a combinedreciprocable. blade and feeler portion and a reciprocable rear. end portion, and means to cause cutting operations by, said-combined bladeand feeler portion only when-the latter encounters an obstruction, in? cludingja cam and a rocker assembly, with said rocker assembly having one arm movably connected with said rear end portion anda second arm disposed, when said combined blade and feeler portion is in' a fully extended position, out ofthe path-of travel of said cam and disposed, when said-combined blade and feeler portion is in 'a retracted position within the path of travel of said cam.

f4; In anobstruction cutting plow, a frame, a plow carried by the frame, automatically TQCiIJI'O cable obstruction-feeler and obgstruction-cutting means carried by thefraine, including an elongated reciprocating member having a blade and fee1er,portio-n,(an intermediate portion provided with a horizontally-extending slot and a rear portion, a guide bracket extending through said slot and fixedly carried partly by saidlplovmand means to cause cutting operations of said blade and fifeeleruportion when the latter encounters on obstructionincluding a cam; an oscillating arm movably connected with said rear portion and an oscillating arm connected-with the first arm and movable therewith into. the path of travel of said cam when said blade and feeler portion encounters an obstruction.

5.'In an obstruction cutting plow, a frame, a plow carried by the frame, automatically reciproca'bleobstruction-feeler and obstruction-cutting means carried by the frame, including'an elongated reciprocating member having a blade and feeler portion, an intermediate portion" provided with: a horizontally-extending slot'a'nd a rear portion, means to limit side'thrust of said elongated reciprocating member, including a rigid bodyv portion with a face-paralleling reciprocating member and closely adjacent thereto, a guide bracket extending through said slot and fixedly carried partly by said plow and partly by said body portion, and means to cause cutting operations of said blade and feeler portion when the latterencounters an obstruction including a cam, an oscillating arm movably connected with said rear portionand an oscillating arm connected with the "first arm and movable therewith into the path of travel of said cam when said blade and feeler portion encounters an obstruction.

6. In an obstruction cutting plow, a frame, a plow carried by the frame, including a main upwardly-extending portion, an offset portion inclinedforwardly fromthe lower end of the main portion, and an'upstanding end wall portion joining the main and offset portions and having a section depending below the plane of the offset portions, automatically reciprocable QbStUICtiOH-rffifllfil and obstruction-cuttingmeans anger carried by said frame,, including an elongated horizontally reciprocating member having a blade and feeler forward portion, an intermediate portion provided with a slot, and a rear portion, means to limit side thrust of said elongated reciprocating member including a rigid body portionwith a face paralleling reciprocating member and closely adjacent thereto, a horizontally-disposed guide bracket extending through said'slot and beneath said offset portion and secured at one end to said section and secured'at its other end to said rigidrbody portion, and means to cause cutting operations of said blade and feeler portion when the latter encounters an obstruction including a cam, an oscillating arm movably connected with said rear portionland an oscillating arm connected with the first arm and movable therewith into the path of travel ofsaid cam when said blade and feeler portion. encounters an obstruction.

7. In an obstruction cutting plow, a frame; a plow carried by the frame, automatically reciprocable obstruction-feeler and obstruction-cutting means carried by the frame, and having parts extending outwardly of the plow, and means to cause cutting operations by said parts only whenlsaid parts encounter an obstruction, including a rotating member having a cam face and a rocker assembly comprising an arm movable upon reciprocation of saidfirst means and a second arm rigid with the'first arm and disposed'inthe path of travel of said cam face when said first means encounters an obstruction and disposed out of the path of travel of said camface when said first means does not encounter an obstruction.

8. In an obstructioncutting'plow, a frame, a

plow carried by thev frame, automatically reciprocable obstruction-feeler and obstruction-cutting means carried by the frame, and having parts extending outwardly'of the plows, and means to cause cutting'operations by said parts only when said partsencounter an obstruction, including a rotating member having a cam face, a rocker assembly comprising an arm movable upon reciprocation of said first meansand a second arm rigid with the first arm and disposed in the path of travel'of said cam face when said first means encounters an obstruction and disposed out of the path of trave1 of said cam face when said first means does not encounter an obstruction, and-quick-acting means to assist movement of said rocker assembly to move said secondarm as aforesaid.

9. In an obstruction cutting'plow, a frame, a plow carried by the frame, automatically reciprocable obstruction-feeler and obstruction-cutting means carried by the frame, and having parts extending outwardly of the plows, and means to cause cutting operations by said parts only when said parts encounter an obstruction, including a rotating member having a cam face, a rocker assembly comprising an arm movable upon reciprocation of said firstmeans and a second arm rigid with the first arm and disposed in the path of travel of said cam face when said first means encounters an obstruction and disposed out of the path of travel of said cam face when said first means does not encounter an obstruction, and quick-acting means to assist movement, of said rocker assembly to move said second arnras aforesaid, including a pair of links, one pivotally carried at one end by said first arm and pivotally connected with the other'link at its other end, with the second link pivotallyconnectedwith said 9 frame, a rod pivotally carried by said second arm REFERENCES CITED and depending therefrom, an enlargement slid- The following references are of record in the able along said rod and pivotally connected with file of this patent: said second link adjacent the pivotal connection connecting the two links together, a stop below 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS 7 said enlargement and carried. by said rod, a stop Number Name Date spaced above said enlargement, and an expansion 1,371,064 Agneni Mar. 8, 1921 spiral spring about said rod, bearing against the upper end of the enlargement and against the lower end of the stop. 10

CHARLES WENDELL JENNINGS. 

